Their Session: Bear Mountain, NY

Mentoring sessions have truly been giving me life this year! I love getting to sit down for hours with photographers and small business owners to chat through their pain points and set an action plan for getting the business they dream of! Heather of Heather Smith Photography is a freaking rock star and I had such a wonderful day mentoring her, shooting alongside her, and digging deep to help her grow! It was the windiest fall day ever, but we made some magic happen at Bear Mountain State Park in New York!

It was SO amazing getting to see Christina and Ryan again after a few years! They actually modeled for my first ever styled shoot a few years back, and since then, they got married themselves! It was really special seeing them again and getting to photograph their love years later! I seriously owe them a summer session because both times they’ve worked with me, it’s been absolutely freezing! They’re such troopers and are always up for anything, so they helped make this shoot such a dream!

Their Love Story

Christina and Ryan met during freshman year of college at Monmouth University. Her good friend Rachel (who lived in the dorm next to hers) was in a class with Ryan and they studied together. Ryan would make it a point to stop by Christina’s dorm room to say hello and chat a bit. After a few months of spending time together (trying to deny that they really liked each other), they started dating in May 2010. The last ten years together have been so much fun for them from living in four apartments together, traveling to amazing spots around the world, and buying their first house together!

Here’s how Ryan proposed to Christina! “When we were in college down in Long Branch, N.J., a typical date night for us was driving to McDonald’s, getting ice-cream, and going to the beach down at Pier Village. We’d hang out in the sand, or even just in the car when it was wintery and cold – and it was so much fun. In May 2017, we packed lunches and went down to the beach for the day – somehow the car ended up at Pier Village. Little did I know that Ryan had hired a photographer and was planning on proposing. I was TOTALLY shocked, but of course, I said yes!”

Then, they had the dreamiest wedding day at Crystal Springs Resort! She said, “Oh, it was the best day! All of our closest friends and family spent the day (and weekend) at Crystal Springs Resort. We had the perfect July day – complete with a dance party, an ice-cream bar, sparklers, smiles and lots of love. We will always be so thankful to have that memory.”

Christina’s favorite quality about Ryan is his sense of humor and his drive. No matter what, he always puts a smile on her face! Ryan adores how sweet and compassionate Christina is. He loves that she would do anything to help someone out. She’s also extremely playful which Ryan can’t get enough of! 🙂

Heather,

Thank you for trusting me to mentor and guide you through this exciting time in your business! I had so much fun getting to know you and set some fun goals in place for your business! I know you’re going to continue to do such amazing things, and I can’t wait to see how you grow from here!

Christina and Ryan,

THANK YOU for making the trip up to Bear Mountain, NY for our session – we are so grateful! As always, you two are a dream to work with, and I just love any chance I get to capture your love story! I hope these chilly fall photos are a fun new addition to your collection of memories together! <3

Loving the fall vibes? Come check out this cozy fall engagement session here!

Bear Mountain Fall Couples Session, NY | Christina & Ryan

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